Super League: Leeds Rhinos v Hull FC preview
Two teams that lost at the Magic Weekend go head-to-head at Headingley Carnegie on Friday as Leeds Rhinos host Hull FC.
Last Updated: 22/05/14 12:26pm
The Rhinos second-half comeback against Wigan fell just short last Saturday while Hull FC suffered yet another derby defeat to city rivals Hull KR in Manchester.
Leeds stayed top of the table courtesy of St Helens' thrashing by Warrington on Sunday while Lee Radford's Black and Whites are two points adrift of the Rovers in a race for a top-eight spot.
The Rhinos won last season's corresponding fixture 36-6 to open the 2013 campaign while Hull FC exacted revenge at the KC Stadium courtesy of an 18-6 triumph.
Leeds will give a debut to 18-year-old hooker Robbie Ward, releasing skipper Kevin Sinfield and second rower Chris Clarkson for their normal roles. The Rhinos are without a recognised hooker with Paul Aiton and Rob Burrow sidelined.
Veteran prop Jamie Peacock is out with a leg injury but centre Kallum Watkins returns after missing their Magic Weekend defeat through illness and his wing partner Tom Briscoe is recalled to face his old club.
New signing
Hull, who are without former Leeds prop Garreth Carvell, will give a debut to former Catalan Dragons centre or second rower Setaimata Sa following his arrival from London Irish.
Talented centre Ben Crooks returns from injury to offset the loss of winger Jason Crookes through suspension.
Former Rhinos ace Gareth Ellis missed last year's meeting at Headingley after breaking his foot and the 33-year-old is looking forward to playing at Headingley again.
"I won two Grand Finals with Leeds and I am really looking forward to going back and playing," Ellis told the Yorkshire Evening Post.
"It was disastrous last year, but I made a lot of friends on the field there and a lot off it as well and it is a special place for me.
"I am looking forward to getting back there and I'm really excited about playing there for the first time since I left. I loved it at Leeds, it was fantastic. It was only really the lure of Australia that took me away. I have really fond memories of my time there."
Leeds Rhinos: Hardaker, Jones-Bishop, Watkins, Moon, Hall, McGuire, Leuluai, Ablett, Sinfield, S Ward, Delaney, Bailey, Kirke, Clarkson, Achurch, Briscoe, Sutcliffe, Singleton, R Ward
Hull FC: Bowden, Crooks, Colbon, Ellis, Hadley, Heremaia, Horne, Houghton, Miller, Paea, Paleaaesina, Rankin, Sa, Shaul, Talanoa, Thompson, Watts, Westerman, Yeaman
